New Peugeot 108 set for 2014 Geneva Motor Show debut

Peugeot is on a bit of a roll right now. The Peugeot 208 is a consistent top ten seller in the UK, and the all-new 308 is a highly credible alternative to the Volkswagen Golf. And now - or rather, next month at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show – there’s the new Peugeot 108 city car.

The Peugeot 108 is a long overdue replacement for the Peugeot 107, and is set to go head-to-head with the likes of the Volkswagen Up!, the Skoda Citigo and the Seat Mii. On looks alone, it certainly stands a chance.

The new Peugeot 108 TOP! comes with a retractable roof

 Like the outgoing Peugeot 107, the new Peugeot 108 will share its underpinnings with new versions of the Citroën C1 and the Toyota Aygo.

Peugeot’s now familiar corporate ‘face’ is clearly evident on the new 108, with the headlights and front grille reminiscent of the larger 208 and 308.

It helps to avoid an overly cutesy appearance and contributes to a neatly proportioned and sharp looking city car. The short front and rear overhangs create a compact profile, something that will also ensure the 108 is perfectly suited to nipping in and out of tight spaces.

Around the back, the 108 has a pair of wraparound rear lights, with the 3D claw-effect design as seen on the 308.
 

Peugeot

At 3,470mm long and 1,620mm wide, the 108 is a little longer, but slightly narrower than the outgoing 107.

It’s worth noting that the lightest 108 will be 840kg, whereas the lightest 107 weighed in at just 790kg. This bucks the trend of other new Peugeots, with the 108 seemingly putting on a little weight.

The all-new Peugeot 108 will be offered in both three and five-door guises, with the hatchback also joined by a new retractable roof version.

It’s called the 108 TOP! (note the use of upper case and an exclamation mark), and it features an 800mm wide and 760mm long fabric roof. The electrically-operated roof can be opened to any position, with an aero-acoustic deflector deployed to reduce turbulence.

Apparently, the new Peugeot 108 "makes you smile, every day"

The speedometer is located on the steering column and is flanked by a rev counter on one side and a gearshift indicator on the other.

A 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system will be available on the higher trim levels, along with a starter button, keyless entry and automatic air conditioning.

If ordered with the infotainment unit, the driver can use ‘Mirror Screen’, allowing the touchscreen to become a mirror image of any smartphone using Android, Windows, RIM or iOS.

According to Béatrice Garric, brand project manager, Peugeot wanted "to create a car that made the driver happy". Apparently, the new Peugeot 108 "makes you smile, every day".

Well that remains to be seen, but Peugeot is really laying it on thick with the personalisation options.

Eight colours are available, including Aïkinite - a golden copper colour. It may be easier to ask your friendly dealer for copper. The two-door version can also be ordered with one of two two-tone paint finishes.

There are also seven personalisation themes, each with their own name, some more bizarre than others.

Take the ‘Dressy’ theme - no, we’re not kidding - which "reinterprets timeless dogtooth fabric with 3D effect" (Peugeot’s words). Or ‘Kilt’, which, yep, you’ve guessed it, is "worked around a tartan with cross-hatched bands".
 

Peugeot

Even the least efficient petrol engine emits just 99g/km

CO2Upon opening the tailgate, the parcel shelf automatically folds away to reveal 196 litres of boot space. This is with the puncture repair kit fitted. Order a spare wheel and the capacity drops to 180 litres.

The volume can be increased to 750 litres by dropping the 50/50 split folding rear seats.

The 108 range will be made up of four three-cylinder engines, including a 1.0-litre e-VTi petrol, emitting just 88g/km CO2.

Even the least efficient engine - the 1.2-litre PureTech VTi petrol - emits just 99g/km CO2. A five-speed manual gearbox is standard, although a five-speed automatic transmission is available on the standard 1.0-litre VTi petrol model.

The all-new Peugeot 108 will make its debut at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show in March, before going on sale in the UK on the 1 July 2014.

Prices haven’t been announced, but we’d expect them to start around £8,000 in order for the 108 to be competitive in the city car class.

There’s no doubt that this 107 replacement is long overdue. It will be interesting to see if Peugeot’s continued drive towards a more premium offer helps to give its new 108 the edge over the new Citroen C1 and Toyota Aygo.

On Bing: see pictures of the Peugeot 108
Find out how much a used Peugeot costs on Auto Trader
Read a Peugeot review on MSN Cars
Peugeot 308 review (2013 onwards)
Peugeot 408 GT teased ahead of Beijing 2014 debut

By Gavin Braithwaite-Smith, contributor, MSN Cars